Firecrest....at last

After spending about 7 hours looking for Firecrests in the New Forest a couple a weeks ago and not being succesful and then looking for one in Frampton briefly yesterday and not finding it either, I decided to venture up north to Hams Hall to look for the over wintering bird there.

Fortunately my friend, Mike offered to drive (as I still felt tired from yesterdays excursions).  When we arrived, there was no evidence of the bird or any birds round the river by the bridge (where it was last seen), so we decided to walk to Ladywalk Reserve to watch the birds frequenting the car park feeders.   There were about 10 Lesser Redpolls, Goldfinches and a Reed Bunting, along with Great Tits and Blue Tits.  Also, in the bushes behind the feeders were two Chiff Chaff (which there has been much discussion as to their origin - Siberian etc) - I do not profess to knowing the difference although one bird did appear pale.

After spending half an hour watching the feeders, we walked back to the car via Edison Road Bridge hoping for the Firecrest and just as we were about to give up, I spotted a very pale Chiff Chaff with a distinct supercilium feeding frantically in the treetops.   As I recalled the fact that the Firecrest had been seen in the same vicinity as a pale Chiff Chaff, we scanned the bushes and eventually managed to locate the Firecrest which eventually gave us great views.  My first bogey bird for the year nailed at last and a lifer for Mike, so smiles all round.